Biography

Stuart Hickox is the founder and President of One Change, a non-profit organization whose pioneering community-based social marketing (CBSM) campaigns are inspiring millions of people in communities across North America to take simple actions that substantially reduce energy use.

Stuart was born and raised in Prince Edward Island and moved to Ottawa to pursue a career in creative marketing and writing. After completing a BA at Carleton University and a year of social studies at a university in Nice, France, Stuart became Managing Editor of the journals of the Canadian Psychological Association, including the Journal of Behavioural Science, where he served for 8 years. He then started his own content-focused communications company and was increasingly hired as a freelance writer for overseas assignments. His work is published in 13 languages. A series of personal losses, including the death of an infant son, gave Stuart a new perspective on life. He felt a stronger appreciation for the here and now, but also an increasing anxiety about the future, and a sense of powerlessness in the face of global issues like climate change.

In 2005, Stuart became the Director of Writing for an Ottawa-based marketing agency. It was there that he had an epiphany that converted his own anxiety and awareness to action – an experience he now makes possible for millions of others.

One day he was sitting in his kitchen, surfing the net when he came across a compelling statistic: If every household in the United States replaced one incandescent light bulb with a more efficient (CFL) bulb, the reduction in pollution from power generation would be the equivalent of taking 800,000 cars off the road. A light went on. Stuart turned to his wife and said, “How hard can it be to get everyone to change one light bulb?” He shared the statistic with friends the next day. They agreed that a simple action, promoted in plain language by people in their own communities, could convert awareness to action. Making it possible for people to take simple first steps could connect individual action to global impact and empower people of all backgrounds to go on to make other smart energy and environmental choices. One Change was born.

Within a few months, Stuart quit his job at the marketing firm to run the first One Change campaign, Project Porchlight, on a shoestring budget from his own living room. Today, One Change is an award-winning charitable foundation in Canada and the US with 25 full time staff and over 200 campaign employees from California to New Jersey. Stuart and One Change are defining a new NGO paradigm that brings together sophisticated marketing techniques and the values of traditional environmental groups to give everyone an opportunity to participate in local solutions to global problems.

A light bulb changed Stuart Hickox. Now One Change is using light bulbs and other simple actions to change millions more people. Simple Actions Matter.

Videos of Stuart's Speaking Highlights:

Testimonials

“Stuart is a leader in the emerging green economy. He is a clear-minded and articulate social entrepreneur who is building an organization that combines a passion for people with solid business principles and tremendous integrity.”
-Gerard J. Protti, Executive Vice President - Corporate Relations, EnCana

“Stuart Hickox possesses the rare ability to translate conceptual, visionary ideas into real action. To this he adds professionalism and the ability to connect with people from all backgrounds.”
-Hon. Rob Renner, Minister of the Environment, Alberta

“I am struck by Stuart’s innate marketing instincts and entrepreneurial skills. His ability to engage and mobilize grassroots networks for change is impressive and groundbreaking.”
-Richard Earle, Author of “The Art of Cause Marketing” and visiting lecturer of “Designing a Social Marketing Campaign” at Harvard University

For an interview or to book Stuart Hickox for a speaking engagement, please contact: